Choosing Produced Water Treatment Technologies Based on Environmental Impact Reduction

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractReduced environmental impact should be the goal when choosing produced water treatment technologies. On the Norwegian sector the method used for quantifying this impact is the Environmental Impact Factor, EIF. This method is computerized in a tool that calculates the environmental impact from each of a number of chemical component groups that are present in produced water.Reinjection of produced water is obviously an option that should be considered if the reservoir needs pressure support. This paper, however, describes four new treatment technologies aimed at produced water being released to sea. The technologies are suitable for different produced water compositions.The four technologies described are the PECT-F (Performance enhancing coalescence technology) for enhanced removal of dispersed oil, the MPPE (Macro Porous Polymer Extraction) technology for removal of volatile aromatics, the CTour technology for the removal of heavy aromatics and alkylated phenols, and the Framopure C100 injection system for H 2 S scavenger.The potential of these technologies has been illustrated by choosing typical produced water compositions where one of these technologies has a significant potential to reduce the environmental impact. Given an estimated efficiency of these technologies, the EIF is calculated before and after applying the technology to show the reduced environmental impact obtained.The main conclusion is that knowledge is needed about which compounds contribute to the environmental impact of produced water before deciding which technology to use.Results are also presented that correlate the content of dispersed oil and PAH (poly aromatic hydrocarbons).

Oil well produced water discharges to the North Sea. Part II: Comparison of deployed mussels (Mytilus edulis) and the DREAM model to predict ecological risk

“…The objective of the zero harmful discharge strategy is to identify environmentally harmful discharges or chemical components of discharges so that cost-effective, technology-based approaches can be developed to treat or dispose of the discharge to remove its adverse impacts to the total environment (Frost et al, 2002). The EIF is intended to be a basis for a cost-effective approach to region-wide management of produced water discharges to the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea (Grini et al, 2002). The EIF assists the operator in reaching the zero harmful discharge goal by identifying toxic constituents of produced water so that they can be removed or treated.…”

Produced Water Treatment Design Methods in the Gas Plant: Optimization and Controlling

“…The plate provides more surface for suspended oil droplets to coalesce into larger globules. Separated solids would slide down and separated oil drops move upwards due to its lesser density than water [12,13]. Table 4 displays the advantages and disadvantages of Corrugated Plate Interceptors.…”

Characterization and Suspension Stability of Particles Recovered from Offshore Produced Water

“…The main strategy in this respect has been to reduce the content of dispersed oil. One rational for this might be that good removal of dispersed oil has been reported to give good removal of soluble hydrocarbons as well. , Current regulations at the Norwegian Continental Shelf require that the concentration of oil in water must be less than 30 ppm before the water can be discharged to sea…”